Some alternative bodystyles that might be fun, cheap and fast....

Here's some ideas for badass rides based on alternative bodystyles. # 1. Nascar themed Mercury Montegos and Cougars. "Project Talledega" a 1975 Chevelle Laguna done up like Darrel Waltrip's late '70's stocker is one of Popular Hot Rodding's most loved project cars. We've seen Monte Carlo's done like Junior Johnson's early '70's champion, and we've seen numerous '71-74 Chargers done like Richard Petty's most famous racer. How about a 1970-76 Montego or Cougar done in Wood Brothers style? Radiused fenderwells to clear monster tires, de-chromed bodywork and two-tone red and white race paint with no 21 on it? While 460 versions are kind of rare, there's a ton of them out there with 351C, or 351 / 400M power under the hood that could be hopped up easily. I think a "Wood Brothers" Cougar or Montego would be way cool, and unique. # 2. Trans-Am style Dodge Dart / Plynouth Duster. We've seen Novas done like '60's Trans Am racers, and tons of Firebirds, Camaros, and Challengers and 'Cudas. How about a Duster? Radiused and flared fenders, front and rear spoilers, loud side-exit exhaust, and a stout 360 under the hood to back up the image. # 3. "Baby Grand" style compacts. Back in the day when 427 Monte Carlos, and 426 Hemi Chargers and Boss 429 Torinos were dominating the Nascar Grand National circuit, Bill France and company came up with the "Baby Grand" series. Most people ran small-block powered Firebirds, Camaros, and Mustangs. A few people ran AMC Javelins or "Cuda / Challengers. It never really took off, because everyone wanted to watch the big dogs-i.e. Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, etc fight it out in the big engined, big cars. However a Maverick / Comet set up in Nascar style with a high-winding 302 under the hood could be a serious sleeper. Other candidates would be '75-79 Ford Granada / Mercury Monarch 2 drs, Ford Fairmonts / Mercury Zephyrs, 75-79 Plymouth Volares and Dodge Aspen 2 drs, as well as AMC Hornets, and GM "X" bodies-Nova, Ventura, Omega, and Apollo. # 4. '50s and '60s "Gasser" style '70's full-size sedans. Impalas, Catalinas, Plymouth Sport Furys, Dodge Polaras, and Ford LTDs,-with radiused wheelwells, heavy front bumper removed, gutted interiors,monochromatic paint, and snarling big-blocks under the hood. Or protruding through the hood, if you wanted to run a tunnel ram or a blower. How cool would that be?  Bottom line is you don't have to spend a mint, and you don't have to have a Road Runner or Chevelle or GTO to be cool.  Mastermind